Queen Elizabeth II's life was no walk in the park. But when she could spare a little time, she spent much of it on the water with her husband Prince Philip. She delighted in honouring numerous British sailors, from Sir Francis Chichester for his single-handed circumnavigation of the globe to Sir Ben Ainslie for his Olympic successes. As patron of the British Royal Yachting Association, she has always remained loyal to the water, even after the death of her husband. It is the only British association in which the Queen is patron. The RYA therefore honours her in a dignified obituary:
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is deeply saddened by the loss of its Patron, Her Majesty The Queen. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the Royal Princess, President of the RYA (Princess Anne, ed.), and the entire Royal Family.
Known for her sense of duty and dedication to a life of service, Her Majesty the Queen was an important figurehead for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. She reigned longer than any other monarch in British history and became a much-loved and respected figure around the world.
The Royal Family has a long history of seafaring. Over the centuries, the monarchy has sailed aboard 83 royal yachts, including the most recent, HMY Britannia, on which RYA meetings were often held during Cowes Week.
With so many fond memories of her yacht, Her Majesty The Queen officially took her leave in 1997 and the ship was moored in Leith harbour in Scotland, where it now serves as a floating museum and events venue. All clocks on board the ship remain at 3.01am, the exact time Her Majesty disembarked for the last time.
In 1948, (the dragon, the ed.) " Bluebottle " to Her Majesty The Queen (then HRH Princess Elizabeth) and HRH Prince Philip as a wedding present from the Island Sailing Club of Cowes on the Isle of Wight. "Bluebottle" is the only British kite to have won an Olympic medal, taking bronze at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne.
Like so many around the world, we are deeply saddened by the loss of Her Majesty the Queen," said Chris Preston, Chairman of the Royal Yachting Association.
Having Her Majesty as our Royal Patron, together with the support of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, as past President of the RYA, and her daughter, the Royal Princess, as our current President, has undoubtedly helped us to raise awareness of our aims to promote sailing and safety on the water and to raise sailing standards.
Her Majesty will be sorely missed and we extend our deepest condolences to our President, the Royal Princess, and her family."
Numerous other prominent sailors, British associations and water sports enthusiasts have also expressed their condolences on Facebook and Instagram.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
